I Need A Viewfinder

mjcan · 09-18-2008, 05:35 AM

Gang:

- I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder!
- About a year ago I would have said: What is it with these nut still camera companies not having a viewfinder? They always have them on video cameras ! Well shut my mouth! Now camcorders are eliminating them !
- When you become a geezer, (me), you need about 3 feet distance before things are in focus.
- That's a little far away for those LCD screens to be viewable ! How in !@#$%^&^%$#@! do you focus? See what is going on?
- Also, last Christmas, bought two of my kids new still cameras. Their photos are worse than the old cameras!
- Why? I'll tell you why! Or at least why I think the photos are worse: They have no viewfinder! You hold the camera out in front of you, frame with the LCD, while your arms are wobblin' all over the @#$%^&*&^%$#@ place! ... ...CAMERA SHAKE ! ! ! You don't have your forehead to steady the camera!
- So now with these teeny-tiny camcorders, it's going to be the same thing!
- Used to be: 1. You had your shoulder to rest the camcorder on... tiny size eliminated that! 2. Then you had you forehead as a steady... "they" are eliminating that!
- General Statement: You've got a bunch of @#$%^&* nincompoops designing cameras!
- Designers please cut out the age discrimination, you'll be there one day... If I don't wring @#$%^&*&^%$#@ your neck, first!

- BTW: "I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder"... also:
--- Want flash memory only!
--- No Sony: Don't want to pay double for their proprietary memory stick, and a general dislike of @#$%^&*&^%$#@ Sony proprietary arm twisting!
- What are my slim choices, if any?

Thanks: Mike

PS: Sorry for my bad language!

rlb187 · 09-18-2008, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjcan

Gang:

- I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder!
- About a year ago I would have said: What is it with these nut still camera companies not having a viewfinder? They always have them on video cameras ! Well shut my mouth! Now camcorders are eliminating them !
- When you become a geezer, (me), you need about 3 feet distance before things are in focus.
- That's a little far away for those LCD screens to be viewable ! How in !@#$%^&^%$#@! do you focus? See what is going on?
- Also, last Christmas, bought two of my kids new still cameras. Their photos are worse than the old cameras!
- Why? I'll tell you why! Or at least why I think the photos are worse: They have no viewfinder! You hold the camera out in front of you, frame with the LCD, while your arms are wobblin' all over the @#$%^&*&^%$#@ place! ... ...CAMERA SHAKE ! ! ! You don't have your forehead to steady the camera!
- So now with these teeny-tiny camcorders, it's going to be the same thing!
- Used to be: 1. You had your shoulder to rest the camcorder on... tiny size eliminated that! 2. Then you had you forehead as a steady... "they" are eliminating that!
- General Statement: You've got a bunch of @#$%^&* nincompoops designing cameras!
- Designers please cut out the age discrimination, you'll be there one day... If I don't wring @#$%^&*&^%$#@ your neck, first!

- BTW: "I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder"... also:
--- Want flash memory only!
--- No Sony: Don't want to pay double for their proprietary memory stick, and a general dislike of @#$%^&*&^%$#@ Sony proprietary arm twisting!
- What are my slim choices, if any?

Thanks: Mike

PS: Sorry for my bad language!

I agree and was happy to see that Panasonic has just announce a new HDC-SD100 camcorder that includes a "ViewFinder".

John J. Clark · 09-19-2008, 03:43 AM

I have a new Canon HF100 camcorder with no view finder.

I have an idea about putting a laser site on it that would allow me to easily follow small distant subjects and objects during filming. This unit would attach to the tripod mount of the camera.

I fly radio controlled model airplanes and helicopters and following them with or without a viewfinder is difficult. Filming racing and other action events is another area that would benefit from this. I saw one a guy made for his still camera that worked well.

One of my other hobbies is CNC Machining.

Do you think there would be a demand for this item? It could be made to work with still and video cameras.

John

mjcan · 09-19-2008, 05:03 AM

John:

- Have you ever considered mounting a streaming video camera in the model airplane?
- You know like a "predator"?
- I don't know how you guys can fly those things; when the controls have to be reversed if the plane is going away vs. coming towards you? It would confuse me!
- If you were "in the cockpit" no problem.

Mike

John J. Clark · 09-19-2008, 08:15 AM

Hi Mike,

I haven't ever done the video or still camera from R/C Aircraft but plenty of guys do that. The Helicopters are best suited for this operation and they even manufacturer a platform that attaches to the skids that will pan, tilt and rotate. If you check youtube you will find plenty of examples. The R/C Sport is becoming more popular all the time. I just returned from IRCHA 2008 a R/C Helicopter event where they had 780 pilots registered. R/C is easy to learn and they now even have computer simulators and buddy boxes to help you along the way and make it less expensive and painful.

I fly both the airplanes and helicopters. Helicopters is my main interest at the moment. As I mentioned, I just purchased a new HAAS 3 Axis CNC Tool room mill. I make some parts and pieces for the R/C modeling community.

Check out this link to my gallery as one of my buddies did a little short video on my CNC Machine Working. This was done with his older standard definition camera. The fourth video is the one with the machine running. Just something to give you a little entertainment some evening. Ha Ha

Sorry, I can't give you the link as I haven't made 5 post yet. Forum rules?????

John

John J. Clark · 09-19-2008, 08:17 AM

This is post #6. Hopefully this will work.

http://www.helicopterjohn.com/gallery/

John

Rich637 · 09-19-2008, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjcan

- BTW: "I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder"... also:
--- Want flash memory only!
--- No Sony: Don't want to pay double for their proprietary memory stick, and a general dislike of @#$%^&*&^%$#@ Sony proprietary arm twisting!
- What are my slim choices, if any?

Thanks: Mike

PS: Sorry for my bad language!

Canon HG21... But it has a 120GB Internal Hard Disk Drive

Rich

mjcan · 09-22-2008, 08:33 AM

John:

"This is post #6. Hopefully this will work."

- I'm droolin' !!

Mike

mjcan · 09-22-2008, 08:36 AM

Rich:

"Canon HG21... But it has a 120GB Internal Hard Disk Drive"

- Don't want a hard drive.
- Wouldn't mind, so much, playing directly from camcorder if it had no moving parts.

Mike

mshulman · 09-22-2008, 09:01 AM

I haven't used a viewfinder in over 10 years. The camera I used during this time did have it, but I think its far easier to capture things when using the LCD and also directly looking at things. I can't see great detail in the LCD at times, but I can see the general framing which is all that really should matter.

Most of the "semi-pro" equipment do have viewfinders. Those might be your best bet, although a quick search didn't show any with flash memory - they were all tape.

As far as still photos - I'd make sure they are using the camera correctly since they all typically require you to hold the button lightly for it to focus and then press it fully to take the picture. Perhaps they are simply pressing it quickly not giving it a chance to focus.

In addition, there are plenty of other tips and tricks for steady video. The easiest of course is a handheld stabilizer although they aren't exactly small. I have pretty stead hands, but if I need to be steadier, I just rest my elbows against my body.

John J. Clark · 09-29-2008, 05:35 AM

Here are a few photos of one of the prototypes I am looking at.

This one would be specific to the Canon HD100 Camcorder.

John

09-18-2008, 05:35 AM	#1
mjcan High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 52	I Need A Viewfinder Gang: - I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder! - About a year ago I would have said: What is it with these nut still camera companies not having a viewfinder? They always have them on video cameras ! Well shut my mouth! Now camcorders are eliminating them ! - When you become a geezer, (me), you need about 3 feet distance before things are in focus. - That's a little far away for those LCD screens to be viewable ! How in !@#$%^&^%$#@! do you focus? See what is going on? - Also, last Christmas, bought two of my kids new still cameras. Their photos are worse than the old cameras! - Why? I'll tell you why! Or at least why I think the photos are worse: They have no viewfinder! You hold the camera out in front of you, frame with the LCD, while your arms are wobblin' all over the @#$%^&&^%$#@ place! ... ...CAMERA SHAKE ! ! ! You don't have your forehead to steady the camera! - So now with these teeny-tiny camcorders, it's going to be the same thing! - Used to be: 1. You had your shoulder to rest the camcorder on... tiny size eliminated that! 2. Then you had you forehead as a steady... "they" are eliminating that! - General Statement: You've got a bunch of @#$%^& nincompoops designing cameras! - Designers please cut out the age discrimination, you'll be there one day... If I don't wring @#$%^&&^%$#@ your neck, first! - BTW: "I need a HD camcorder with a viewfinder"... also: --- Want flash memory only! --- No Sony: Don't want to pay double for their proprietary memory stick, and a general dislike of @#$%^&&^%$#@ Sony proprietary arm twisting! - What are my slim choices, if any? Thanks: Mike PS: Sorry for my bad language!

09-19-2008, 03:43 AM	#3
John J. Clark HelicopterJohn Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 8	Laser Site I have a new Canon HF100 camcorder with no view finder. I have an idea about putting a laser site on it that would allow me to easily follow small distant subjects and objects during filming. This unit would attach to the tripod mount of the camera. I fly radio controlled model airplanes and helicopters and following them with or without a viewfinder is difficult. Filming racing and other action events is another area that would benefit from this. I saw one a guy made for his still camera that worked well. One of my other hobbies is CNC Machining. Do you think there would be a demand for this item? It could be made to work with still and video cameras. John __________________ Canon HF100

09-19-2008, 05:03 AM	#4
mjcan High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 52	Streaming Video? John: - Have you ever considered mounting a streaming video camera in the model airplane? - You know like a "predator"? - I don't know how you guys can fly those things; when the controls have to be reversed if the plane is going away vs. coming towards you? It would confuse me! - If you were "in the cockpit" no problem. Mike

09-19-2008, 08:15 AM	#5
John J. Clark HelicopterJohn Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 8	airplanes Hi Mike, I haven't ever done the video or still camera from R/C Aircraft but plenty of guys do that. The Helicopters are best suited for this operation and they even manufacturer a platform that attaches to the skids that will pan, tilt and rotate. If you check youtube you will find plenty of examples. The R/C Sport is becoming more popular all the time. I just returned from IRCHA 2008 a R/C Helicopter event where they had 780 pilots registered. R/C is easy to learn and they now even have computer simulators and buddy boxes to help you along the way and make it less expensive and painful. I fly both the airplanes and helicopters. Helicopters is my main interest at the moment. As I mentioned, I just purchased a new HAAS 3 Axis CNC Tool room mill. I make some parts and pieces for the R/C modeling community. Check out this link to my gallery as one of my buddies did a little short video on my CNC Machine Working. This was done with his older standard definition camera. The fourth video is the one with the machine running. Just something to give you a little entertainment some evening. Ha Ha Sorry, I can't give you the link as I haven't made 5 post yet. Forum rules????? John __________________ Canon HF100

09-22-2008, 08:33 AM	#8
mjcan High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 52	I'm Droolin' John: "This is post #6. Hopefully this will work." - I'm droolin' !! Mike

09-19-2008, 08:17 AM	#6
John J. Clark HelicopterJohn Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida Posts: 8	Forum Rules This is post #6. Hopefully this will work. http://www.helicopterjohn.com/gallery/ John __________________ Canon HF100

09-22-2008, 08:36 AM	#9
mjcan High Definition is the definition of life. Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 52	No Hard Drive Rich: "Canon HG21... But it has a 120GB Internal Hard Disk Drive" - Don't want a hard drive. - Wouldn't mind, so much, playing directly from camcorder if it had no moving parts. Mike

09-22-2008, 09:01 AM	#10
mshulman My Projector is High Def. Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Marlborough, MA Age: 35 Posts: 6,572	I haven't used a viewfinder in over 10 years. The camera I used during this time did have it, but I think its far easier to capture things when using the LCD and also directly looking at things. I can't see great detail in the LCD at times, but I can see the general framing which is all that really should matter. Most of the "semi-pro" equipment do have viewfinders. Those might be your best bet, although a quick search didn't show any with flash memory - they were all tape. As far as still photos - I'd make sure they are using the camera correctly since they all typically require you to hold the button lightly for it to focus and then press it fully to take the picture. Perhaps they are simply pressing it quickly not giving it a chance to focus. In addition, there are plenty of other tips and tricks for steady video. The easiest of course is a handheld stabilizer although they aren't exactly small. I have pretty stead hands, but if I need to be steadier, I just rest my elbows against my body. __________________ Toshiba HD-A2 and HD-A3 PS3 Sanyo PLV-Z3 Canon HF-10 Onkyo 805 "I eat green berets for breakfast and I'm very hungry!"

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